2025–26 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team

The 2025–26 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team represents the University of Michigan during the 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. It is the program's 110th season and 109th consecutive year as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Wolverines are led by second-year head coach Dusty May and play their home games at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Wolverines finished the 2024–25 season with a 27–10 record, 14–6 in conference play to finish the regular season tied for second place. As the No. 3 seed in the Big Ten tournament, they defeated Purdue in the quarterfinal, Maryland in the semifinal, and Wisconsin in the final, winning their first Big Ten tournament championship since 2018.^[1] The Wolverines received the Big Ten’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 5 seed in the South Region, where they defeated UC San Diego, and Texas A&M to advance to their sixth Sweet Sixteen in the last eight NCAA tournaments. In the regional semifinal, they lost to the No. 1 overall seed Auburn.^[2]

On March 24, 2025, guard Justin Pippen entered the NCAA transfer portal. He did not play or travel with the Wolverines in the postseason.^[3] Pippen transferred to the Cal Golden Bears.^[4] On March 31, forward Jace Howard entered the transfer portal after five seasons with Michigan and forward Sam Walters entered after one season with the program.^[5][6] Howard would transfer to the Fordham Rams and Walters to the SMU Mustangs.^[7][8] That same day, the Wolverines received their first transfer portal commitment from junior Elliot Cadeau, a point guard for the North Carolina Tar Heels. As a sophomore, Cadeau averaged 9.4 points per game and was second in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with 6.2 assists per game. He was a former five-star recruit in high school and started 68 games in his first two collegiate seasons.^[9] On April 1, point guard Tre Donaldson entered the transfer portal. He started all 37 games for the Wolverines in his lone season with the program.^[10] Donaldson would transfer to the Miami Hurricanes.^[11] That same day, Michigan received its second transfer portal commitment from sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. of the Illinois Fighting Illini. He started eight games as a freshman.^[12]

On April 5, the top-rated player in the transfer portal, forward Yaxel Lendeborg from the UAB Blazers, committed to the Wolverines as the third incoming transfer. He also entered the 2025 NBA draft process in addition to transferring. Last season Lendeborg became one of only two players in NCAA Division I history to record over 600 points, 400 rebounds and 150 assists in a single season, joining legend Larry Bird, and won the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year for a second consecutive season.^[13] He also led the NCAA with 26 double-doubles last season, averaging 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game.^[14] On April 9, guard Phat Phat Brooks entered the transfer portal, Michigan’s fifth player to do so.^[15] Brooks transferred to the Central Michigan Chippewas.^[16] On April 11, the Wolverines secured their fourth incoming transfer commitment, junior Aday Mara, a 7'3" Spanish center from the UCLA Bruins.^[17]

On April 16, junior power forward Danny Wolf announced he would forgo his remaining eligibility and declared for the 2025 NBA draft.^[18] On April 21, shooting guard Nimari Burnett announced he would return for his final season after being granted a sixth year of eligibility.^[19] On May 27, Lendeborg withdrew from the NBA draft and chose to play his final season of college basketball in Ann Arbor.^[20]

On October 18, 2024, Michigan landed its first class of 2025 recruit, Winters Grady of Prolific Prep in Napa, California. At the time of his commitment, the four-star Lake Oswego, Oregon native was ranked 83 in the 2025 national class by 247Sports.^[21] On October 23, Michigan received their second commitment from New Zealand native Oscar Goodman, who was the 2023 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship MVP and a 2024 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup All-Tournament first team selection.^[22][23] He was rated as a top 100, four-star player by On3, but unrated by 247Sports at the time of his commitment.^[24] On November 9, the Wolverines earned their third commitment from Flint, Michigan native and five-star guard from St. Mary's Preparatory, Trey McKenney. McKenney won a gold medal and started every game for the United States national team in the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup in Argentina. At the time of his commitment, he was ranked as the No. 16 overall player in the country by ESPN and No. 19 in 247Sports’ composite rankings.^[25][26] All three players officially signed their national letter of intent during the early signing period in November 2024.^[27]

On January 7, 2025, Goodman enrolled early, joining the 2024–25 Michigan basketball team midseason.^[28] As a result of him graduating in November 2024, based on the New Zealand academic calendar, he would remain a member of Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class. He used the season to redshirt and was limited to practice only.^[29] On January 27, McKenney was named a 2025 McDonald's All-American. He was the first Michigan signee to be selected since Moussa Diabaté, Caleb Houstan and Kobe Bufkin in 2021.^[30] On May 16, Michigan received their fourth commitment in the 2025 class from forward Ricky Liburd, whom flipped from his commitment to play for Coastal Carolina. He attended Sagemont School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and was ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.^[31] On June 13, the Wolverines received their fifth commitment from 7'1" center Malick Kordel from Oberhausen, Germany. He played for the Frankfurt Skyliners junior team before moving to the United States for college basketball at age 21.^[32]

On November 3, Michigan began the season with a 121–78 victory over Oakland, winning a 23rd consecutive season-opening game.^[33] For the first time in program history, seven Wolverines scored in double figures. Michigan was led by Morez Johnson Jr. with a career-high 24 points, while Aday Mara had 12 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks; his first double-double of the season. Five others scored in double figures, including freshman Trey McKenney scoring 21 points in his collegiate debut on 6-of-8 three-point shooting, Will Tschetter with 16 points, Nimari Burnett with 14 points, Yaxel Lendeborg added 12 points, and Roddy Gayle Jr. had 11 points. Elliot Cadeau added 12 assists in his debut.^[34] Michigan scored a program-record 69 points in the first half, shooting 71% from the field and surpassing the previous record of 66 points set in 1987 against Eastern Michigan. The 121 points were the most scored by the Wolverines since 1990 when they scored 127 against Iowa, and marked the sixth time in program history eclipsing 120 points in a game.^[35] The Wolverines finished shooting 64% from the field, tied a program-record with 19 made three-point shots (on 35 attempts: 54%), committed only eight turnovers, and had 55 bench points.^[36][33]

On November 11, Michigan defeated Wake Forest 85–84 in overtime during the Deacon-Wolverine Challenge at Little Caesars Arena. Michigan was led by Mara with 18 points, and career-highs 13 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks; his second double-double of the season. Cadeau had 17 points, a career-high eight rebounds, and seven assists, surpassing 200 career rebounds and 400 career assists. Gayle Jr. had 13 points, and Johnson Jr. added ten points and eight rebounds. With 13 rebounds, Mara surpassed 200 for his career.^[37] Michigan led by 13 at halftime, but started 0-for-12 on three-point attempts in the second half, allowing Wake Forest to tie the game and force overtime. Cadeau scored or assisted on all five of Michigan's overtime points.^[38]

On November 14, Michigan defeated TCU 67–63. Michigan was led by double-double performances from Lendeborg with 14 points and ten rebounds, and Johnson Jr. with ten points and 12 rebounds. McKenney scored 11 points and Gayle Jr. added ten points and six assists. With his ten rebounds, Lendeborg surpassed 800 in his NCAA Division I career.^[39][40]

On November 19, Michigan defeated Middle Tennessee 81–61. Michigan was led by Lendeborg with a game-high 25 points, and 12 rebounds, his second double-double of the season. Mara added ten points and ten rebounds off the bench, for his third double-double of the season, while Cadeau scored ten points. Tschetter added five points in his first start since March 13, 2024. Ten Wolverines scored during the game, with a season-high 13 players earning minutes. Michigan's defense forced 15 turnovers, the most by a Wolverines opponent in a game this season.^[41][42]

On November 24, Michigan defeated San Diego State 94–54 in the first game of the 2025 Players Era Festival. Michigan was led by Lendeborg with a game-high 15 points, six rebounds and four assists. Five others scored in double figures, Johnson Jr. and Cadeau with 13 points each, Burnett and Gayle Jr. scored 11 points each, and Tschetter added ten points. Tschetter became the 76th Wolverine in program history to appear in 100 career games.^[43]

On November 25, Michigan defeated No. 21 Auburn 102–72 to advance to the championship game of the Players Era Festival. Michigan was led by Lendeborg with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Gayle Jr. added a season-high 17 points and six rebounds. Four other players scored in double figures, Burnett and Johnson Jr. with 15 points each, McKenney scored 11 points and Cason added ten points. Michigan used a 21–4 run late in the first half to extend their lead to 29 points. Michigan shot 51.5% from the field, including 14 of 35 (40%) from three-point range.^[44] A season-high 11 players reached the scoresheet, including freshman Winters Grady scoring his first career points. The win marked Michigan's first NCAA-recognized 30-plus-point win over a power-four opponent since a 104–68 win against No. 3 Purdue on March 3, 1987. The Wolverines scored 100-plus points against a ranked opponent for the first time since defeating No. 6 Duke 113–108 on December 9, 1989.^[45]

On November 26, Michigan defeated No. 12 Gonzaga 101–61 to win the Players Era Festival championship. Michigan was led by Lendeborg with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds, his third double-double of the season, and was named tournament MVP. Four other players scored in double figures, McKenney with 17 points, Burnett scored 14 points, Mara had 13 points, and Johnson Jr. added 11 points. Cadeau recorded 13 assists, tied for the seventh most in a single game in program history.^[46] The Wolverines won their three games by an average of 36.7 points. Michigan's 40 point win was Mark Few's worst loss in 902 games as Gonzaga's head coach, and the Bulldogs worst loss since losing 144–100 to Loyola Marymount in 1990. Gonzaga was held to 33.8% shooting from the floor, including 3-of-22 (13.6%) from three-point range.^[47] The win marked the highest margin of victory against an AP ranked opponent in program history, and was the first time in NCAA history that any team outscored AP ranked opponents by 30 or more points in consecutive games.^[48]

On December 6, Michigan opened the Big Ten Conference season against Rutgers, defeating the Scarlet Knights 101–60. Michigan was led by Johnson Jr. with a game-high 22 points. Five other players scored in double figures, Lendeborg with 14 points, McKenney added 13 points, and Cadeau, Cason and Gayle Jr. scored 11 points each. Michigan shot 60% from the field and scored 22 of their first 24 points in the paint, and finished the game with a season-high 52 points in the paint.^[49] The Wolverines scored more than 100 points for the third consecutive game, marking the first time this has occurred since their National Championship season in 1989. Michigan's 41-point win was the fourth-largest margin of victory against a Big Ten team in program history.^[50]

On December 9, Michigan defeated Villanova 89–61. Michigan was led by Cadeau with 18 points, four assits and three rebounds. Mara added 11 points eight rebounds and two blocks, and McKenney scored ten points. The Wolverines went on an early 18–3 run, including scoring 15 straight points, in the first half and finished the half on a 12–0 run, to take a 30 point lead at halftime. Michigan's defense held Villanova to season lows in points (61), field-goal percentage (34 percent), and assists (six), while forcing a season-high 15 turnovers.^[51] Michigan became the only team since at least the 1995–96 season to win six straight games by at least 25 points with at least two of those victories against ranked opponents.^[52]

On December 13, Michigan defeated Maryland 101–83. Michigan was led by Lendeborg with 29 points, a career-high nine assists, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals, nearly posting a triple-double. Mara scored 18 points, Cason had a season-high 12 points, and Cadeau added 12 points and ten assists for a double-double. Maryland lost their leading scorer, Pharrel Payne, with 4:36 remaining in the first half. Michigan trailed 45–50 at halftime, and overcame a halftime deficit for the second time this season and the first since they beat TCU on November 14. An early second half nine-point defecit was the largest of the season to date. Michigan committed a season-low nine turnovers. With the win, Michigan improved to 10–0 to start the season for the sixth time in program history.^[53][54]

On December 21, Michigan defeated La Salle 102–50. Michigan was led by McKenney with 17 points, while Mara recorded 14 points and ten rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Three other players scored in double figures, Cadeau added 14 points, Cason posted a season-high 13 points, and Johnson Jr. scored ten points. Michigan's defense allowed just four points in the paint and held La Salle to 20.8 percent shooting on two-point attempts. La Salle's 50 points were the fewest allowed by Michigan this season.^[55]